Railways At The Zenith Of Steam 1920-40 By O.S. Nock
Railways At The Zenith Of Steam 1920-40 (First Edition Hardcover Release in Archival Protection)
An Exquisite Illustrated Survey of the World's Finest Golden-Era Steam Locomotives
An Exquisite Illustrated Survey of the World's Finest Golden-Era Steam Locomotives
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Railways At The Zenith Of Steam 1920-40
- Author: O.S. Nock (Oswald Stevens Nock)
- Publisher: Blandford Press Ltd, London
- Publication Date: 1970
- ISBN-10: 0713705159
- ISBN-13: 9780713705157
- Edition Details: First Edition, Standard Hardcover Release.
- Binding: Original publisher's premium cloth boards, spine lettered in gilt, with original pictorial dust jacket under an archival protective wrap.
- Physical Format: Duodecimo (12mo), 184 pages. Extensively illustrated with a comprehensive, central 96-page block of high-fidelity, full-colour technical plates and detailed architectural renderings.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
o Exterior / Boards: The cloth boards are exceptionally flat, square, and well-preserved. Corners remain sharp with minimal storage friction. The spine is perfectly straight, tight, completely unbroken, and free of vertical creasing.
o Interior: The text block is robustly bound, tight, and immaculately clean. Internal text pages and the vivid colour illustration plates are bright, white, and clear. Entirely free of standard user highlighting, previous owner inscriptions, dealer pencil markings, or dog-ears. This copy has clearly been meticulously maintained and looked after.
o Special Protection: The book is safely preserved and protected within a fitted cellophane cover. -
The Dust Jacket: Very Good (VG)
o Description: Complete and structurally intact. Displays only very limited, minor signs of edge-wear and light shelf friction consistent with its 1970 vintage. Free of major chips, deep tears, or sun-bleached fading.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1970 as part of Blandford's acclaimed "Railways of the World in Colour" series, Railways At The Zenith Of Steam 1920-40 is an essential reference work by the legendary railway historian O.S. Nock. The book captures the absolute pinnacle of steam locomotive development globally between the two World Wars—a period when engineering efficiency, speed, and aesthetic grace peaked. The unique volume splits into two comprehensive halves: the first features 96 pages of beautifully detailed, accurate colour illustrations of international locomotives; the second provides exhaustive technical data, historical developments, and engineering specifications for each featured model. This scarce first-edition hardcover stands as a brilliant collectible time capsule for model railway enthusiasts, transport historians, and antiquarian book collectors.
Published in 1970 as part of Blandford's acclaimed "Railways of the World in Colour" series, Railways At The Zenith Of Steam 1920-40 is an essential reference work by the legendary railway historian O.S. Nock. The book captures the absolute pinnacle of steam locomotive development globally between the two World Wars—a period when engineering efficiency, speed, and aesthetic grace peaked. The unique volume splits into two comprehensive halves: the first features 96 pages of beautifully detailed, accurate colour illustrations of international locomotives; the second provides exhaustive technical data, historical developments, and engineering specifications for each featured model. This scarce first-edition hardcover stands as a brilliant collectible time capsule for model railway enthusiasts, transport historians, and antiquarian book collectors.
Author Profile: O.S. Nock
Oswald Stevens Nock (1905–1994) was one of the most prolific, respected, and internationally celebrated railway engineers and authors of the 20th century. A mechanical engineer by trade, he worked extensively for the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company while dedicating his life to documenting global locomotive history. Over a career spanning five decades, Nock authored more than 140 books and served as the long-standing president of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers. Renowned for balancing dense technical data with an accessible narrative pace, his works are highly regarded by academics and collectors alike as the definitive primary historical records of global steam infrastructure.
Oswald Stevens Nock (1905–1994) was one of the most prolific, respected, and internationally celebrated railway engineers and authors of the 20th century. A mechanical engineer by trade, he worked extensively for the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company while dedicating his life to documenting global locomotive history. Over a career spanning five decades, Nock authored more than 140 books and served as the long-standing president of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers. Renowned for balancing dense technical data with an accessible narrative pace, his works are highly regarded by academics and collectors alike as the definitive primary historical records of global steam infrastructure.
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